Topic: how did you shorten your fender?

[gecko672]

Im toying with the idea of shortening my  rear fender. There is a rolled edge to the fender that I'd like to preserve and not just cut off with a sharp edge. I've hunted around for how to's but havent found much. Is there a way of sliding it forward some how?

[Gordon]

Cut the front and roll it forward. 

[Don R]

Cut out the middle and weld it back together?

[Gordon]

No need to make it that complicated.  If you cut the front, you can roll the whole fender forward, drill new holes, and bolt it back on. 

[Don R]

How does that preserve the rolled edge?

[Gordon]

How does that preserve the rolled edge?

The fender in question is the rear one.  The rolled edge is on the back end.  If you cut the front down and slide the whole fender forward you have not disturbed the rolled edge. 

[gecko672]

That was my initial thought to roll the fender forward but mine has a structure to it at the front. The bolt holes are raised and the sides have a section with threaded holes for the turn signals.
cutting in this area would mess up how it is attached, wouldn't it.

[brooze72]

That was my initial thought to roll the fender forward but mine has a structure to it at the front. The bolt holes are raised and the sides have a section with threaded holes for the turn signals.
cutting in this area would mess up how it is attached, wouldn't it.

Yep, sure would, maybe the cut the middle & reweld idea isn't so bad

[Gordon]

You make accommodations for the changes in mounting points.  Spacers, nuts, and drilling new holes will cover all of those.  The cut-and-roll method is a very common one for those wanting to shorten the rear fender.  Obviously cutting the middle and welding will work, but most home mechanics don't have ready access to welding equipment.

[geminimotors]

I just performed this operation on my 550F, didn't take photos, though. Sorry.
I used a Blair cutter to drill out all seven hundred spot welds attaching the inner fame to the outer fender. Once separated, loosely bolt the inner frame to the bike. Lay the outer fender on the frame and rotate it forward until you like the look. Mark the location of the two upper mounting holes. make a spacer approx 1/2" thick, and viola! I'll post photos when I remove it to install the new tail light.

 Of note: I shelved my original fender and used a less than nice fender that was a bit tweaked and had some random holes in it. If you're original is nice, save it. There's plenty of  fugly donor fenders that will do the trick.

[gecko672]

This is the third time Ive typed this reply.. every time I go to post some one has answered what i was just asking.. back space..back space....
sweet. Thanks for the answers. if you do get some photos that would be great. I have to say Im a bit of a visual learner.

[gecko672]

One other question. Do you get these things de chromed if your going to paint. Or is cutting it with  sandpaper and a good etch primer good enough?

[Franky]

Here's a few links to some images on how i cut and mounted my rearfender/rearend.
Might help! Just ignore the danish text :-)

 http://www.franky.dk/cbriders/?07.05.2011-der-svejses-nyt-bagstel,88
 http://www.franky.dk/cbriders/?07.05.2011-der-skaeres-i-stellet,87

[mrbreeze]

That was my initial thought to roll the fender forward but mine has a structure to it at the front. The bolt holes are raised and the sides have a section with threaded holes for the turn signals.
cutting in this area would mess up how it is attached, wouldn't it.

Heres what I did.......cut the back of the fender off. Place it on top of the front of the fender but you have to cut the rolled edge off of the bottom part with a die grinder/ cut off wheel right above where the mounting part is spot welded on. Attach with bolts that you will not see because they are under the seat. I need to get better pics of it but it looks awesome in my eyes. Never cared for the fender that went so far down the tire with the big light tower tailite.

[gecko672]

nice. Thanks for sharing guys. Im starting to form a picture of how I might do this.
looks like cutting, drilling  and welding are in my near future.

[gecko672]

keep the ideas coming.

[scunny]

just rolled mine forward.

[brooze72]

just rolled mine forward.

Among a few other things!